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The scheme had previously come under fire for its lack of affordable housing provision, but was also criticised over its cycle parking facilities, lack of community facilities and its uninspiring overall design.

The newly opened Station Square at Cambridge Railway Station (Image: Keith Jones)

Councillor Damien Tunnacliffe had a string of complaints about the building, including its “dreary” exterior.

He said: “I find absolutely nothing to recommend the building here.

“It doesn’t enhance the view from the station towards the mill, and I’m unhappy about the choice of dark materials.”

“It may be lozenge-shaped, but I find it a very bitter pill to swallow”, he quipped.

The two buildings, which would be linked by an underground car and cycle park, would have required the demolition of Murdoch House at 40 to 44 Station Road, as well as the remains of an old silo building associated with the historic Fosters Mill.

The current Murdoch House

Speaking on behalf of the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, Roxanne De Beaux told the committee the development’s “insufficient” provision would only encourage “fly parking”, of bikes chained to railings and fences.

“We think we will have more of these problems if the current development goes ahead with this plan”, she said.